Research Briefing
This note details the sometimes controversial dealings between the UK government and the regime of Muammer Qaddafi and looks at the reasons for Libya's partial rehabilitation by the west, in which the UK was closely involved.
Research Briefing
On 22 December 2010 Iraq at last announced the formation of a new government, some nine months after inconclusive elections. This note looks at the composition of the government and political and security conditions in the country.
Research Briefing
The parliamentary election scheduled for 7 March 2010 is an important milestone in the development of the country's political system. This note looks at the controversies attending the run-up to the election, the provisional results and manoeuvring to form a governing majority.
Research Briefing
This note summarises recent developments in Morocco and the situation in Western Sahara, the disputed territory to the south which has been occupied by Morocco.
Research Briefing
The Coalition Government in the UK has made improvement of relations with the Gulf States, and growth in trade with the region, a priority. This note summarises recent developments in the small but fabulously wealthy state of Qatar.
Research Briefing
This note looks at British and other assessments of the threat from global violent jihad, Muslim attitudes towards it and the countries that are known to be havens for jihadis and those that are suspected to be at risk.
Research Briefing
This note provides a summary of the historical background to the conflict between the israelis and the Palestinians, and a detailed chronology of the peace process from 1990 to 2010.
Research Briefing
Brief summary of the election in Belarus and subsequent demonstrations
Research Briefing
This note summarises the debates at Commons Committee Stage on the Terrorist Asset-Freezing Etc. Bill [HL]
Research Briefing
Summary of recent developments in the negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians
Research Briefing
The UK is required by the UN to freeze the assets of persons who commit terrorist acts. In a case that raised “fundamental questions about the relationship between Parliament and the executive” the UK legislation that allowed the Treasury to freeze the assets of those suspected of involvement in terrorism was quashed by the UK Supreme Court in January 2010. The legislation was reinstated by temporary legislation immediately afterwards, but the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Temporary Provisions) Act 2010 expires on 31 December 2010. This Bill seeks to replace that Act with a permanent legislative framework.
Research Briefing
The forthcoming election in Jordan will not have a big impact on the country's political scene. Political parties are weak and the monarchy retains most of the power in the country.
Research Briefing
President Saakashvili's second term expires in 2013. Whether the election is won by a more Moscow-friendly successor will be critical for the progress of Russia's efforts to establish its ""zone of privileged interest". Critics of the US administration may say that Obama's decision to "press the reset button" on relations with Russia has betrayed Georgia's ambitions to join western countries.
Research Briefing
Shortly after taking office, US President Obama gave negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme one year, promising to push for a new set of United Nations sanctions if there was no progress. After negotiating since the end of 2009, the E3+3 countries, France, Germany and the United Kingdom plus China Russia and the United States reached agreement on the fourth round of sanctions in June 2010 This note looks at Iran's nuclear programme and UN, US and EU sanctions.
Research Briefing
A general election has been called for 21 August 2010. This note gives background, and looks at the fall of Kevin Rudd and the campaign.
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